creative jewish mom

Recycle Plastic Bags and Make Yarn For Crafting!

Aren't these imperfect balls of "plarn" aka plastic bag yarn just the sweetest? They were made by a group of 8 to 9 year old boys, and truly it was a great activity for them, and nicely filled an hour plus crafting lesson. We secured the balls with a rubber band and each one added a tiny note with their name on it so as not to confuse them. Plastic bags are unfortunately used plentifully around here, as honestly we have more important issues as the moment, so at the very least I am trying to educate kids about re-use and not to just throw them away as they make great yarn for crafting!

I have often started a ball and added to it as the plastic bags came into our home, which is a great idea and satisfying to boot. Plus then no one can call me a bag lady, or accuse me of hoarding when all those bags are cut up and made into balls? Plastic bag yarn is a great activity for kids as young as even 6 or 7, with a bit of help, so make some today or use the tutorial to make yarn from loops of pantyhose or tights! Let's do it!

7 Craft Projects To Help Kids Develop Math Skills

Summertime is a great time to get the kids involved in some projects that you may not have had time for during the school year, so lets think about how to help our kids who may have challenges when it come to math. Yes, many kids and teens may need some extra help with math, and this is perfectly normal. Math is quite simply a part of life, though it really doesn't have to produce groans from those who find it challenging! When children (or anyone really) start to understand that math is so much more than numbers on a page, and that it applies to the great world around us, especially when geometry comes into the picture, it can take on a new light altogether. Higher levels of math such as algebra help develop critical thinking skills which conversely can be developed via crafts and DIY projects of many kinds.

So when a child or teen delves into projects that require planning and construction of any kind, their abilities to understand math can also benefit! And of course, creativity in general helps everyone in life in so many ways, including building confidence and finding joy in color and pattern just for starters. So lets take a look at ten craft projects that are not only enjoyable to make,  teach math to kids and develop skills and understanding when it comes to all things numbers.

Giant Recycled Cardboard Waves Craft For Rosh HaShana

Yes of course, all things apples and pomegranates and honey make wonderful Rosh HaShana crafts and holiday decor, but this year with Rosh HaShana coming in less than a month I thought I'd start with something that brings attention to the wonderful Rosh HaShana tradition of saying Tashlich, which ideally happens next to a natural body of water, and therefore I bring you recycled cardboard waves! I love the idea of getting parents or teens to cut out lots of waves, and then letting kid paint and decorate them. They can be a fun toy for the holiday and you can then set them aside to use for Passover and the splitting of the Red Sea! Check out my metallic waves centerpiece craft for more inspiration, and think about making waves (in a good way of course) for the new year! Ah yes, and what is Tashlich, you may ask? Keep on reading........

Create On An Index Card For 2 Months This Summer!

I have to admit, I did not know that there have been thousands of creative people creating on index cards every year for the months of June and July, each year. Of course when it started 11 years ago I can imagine it was not thousands, but today it is, and WOW! I am familiar with the idea of creating on index cards, or index card size, I just didn't know it was "thing" that I could participate in. Just as I was wondering what might keep my creative practice running once I finish my 100 oil pastels, (9 to go!) voila, this opportunity comes along. At first I thought, no way, you are too busy. But then I realized that by adapting a simple style, I could infact do an index card a day, and it could be great! With three days now under my belt I am so very very happy I committed to this 61 day challenge, and while I'll be sharing with you here from time to time, the daily peeks will be on my instagram @sara.rivka.dahan.

The challenge is called Index Card A Day, and the home base is right here. There is a Facebook group one can join for a fee, though I don't really have time for that, so I'm sharing on Instagram and making connections with fellow participants there. You do what works for you, maybe a family challenge with no social media? Maybe a challenge with a friend? There are no rules about what to put on the index card, so sky is the limit! I was even thinking about doing little sculptures, but then the illustration style I'm currently doing won out, plus it is much quicker!

I really think that an index card creativity challenge would be a great thing to do with the kids this summer, and at the end you can make a book, or do the second side next year! Daily creating is an amazing thing to fit in anyone's day, believe me, you'll end up doing it every year!

Pen Friends: Penpalling as a Fun Hobby for Your Child

Did you know that the term “pen pal” was actually preceded by the phrase “pen friend” which was used back in the early 1900’s? With the advent of digital communication which is quick and easy, handwritten letters have become increasingly scarce, which is truly unfortunate! Whether you call is pen friends or penpalling, communication through “snail mail” provide benefits and creative opportunities that online communication just can’t match. Penpalling is an excellent opportunity for every child to learn to express themselves through writing, connect with others from around the world, and practice composition skills in a non-threatening way.

A Safe Hobby

Penpalling is both a fun and educational experience for all ages, though when it comes to children, it’s natural to be extra careful when selecting a friend with whom they can exchange letters. This is where the digital aspect of our modern world comes into play. Many organizations recognize the benefits of letter-writing and the importance of safety, and have created dedicated websites specifically geared towards creating a safe space for children, as well as to help parents navigate the process. Technology also offers conveniences that simplify snail mail; for instance, learning to print stamps online is remarkably easy. You can even schedule letter or package pickups at your convenience in some instances.

Fun With Dominos, Spell Your Name!

Sometimes a box filled with colorful dominos is just irresistable, (which is likely why I bought them in the first place!) and so as my son sat on the floor yesterday listening to a story CD, he first set up the dominos in a traditional manner and invited the whole family to witness the crash, and then came up with this lovely set up. If you don't read hebrew you wouldn't likely realize that he has spelled his name here, and I love what he did with the last letter, a true work of art! I was just thinking that if I took out the background on the photo this could be a great poster for his room, right?

Vacation Crafts: Sidewalk Chalk

I was looking for the source of a photo for a Jewish newspaper and came across this post from 2010 that I never posted for some reason! My kids will now find it very funny that they are in their pyjamas drawing with chalk on Bubby's patio, my childhood home! But that in itself certainly sells the activity, namely they were so excited to get drawing with large chalk that getting dressed wasn't a priority. And I must say, that is certainly the best kind of vacation, crafts and pyjamas!

So next time you head out for a little trip near or far, do consider packing a nice new package of sidewalk chalk, it may just be a lifesaver! One word of caution, not everyone appreciates kid's art on their sidewalk, so do ask before getting creative where it might not be welcome. Enjoy!

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Vegetable Store Playtime Using Cutouts From Cardboard Crates!

I was the girl who once had a collection of California fruit crate ends (with gorgeous vintage labels) hanging on her kitchen wall in San Francisco (one of my first upcyclling projects that required tearing apart wooden crates on the street, oh my!) so I had to laugh when I found myself eyeing the cardboard vegetable crates that are often used by the store to deliver our order.

And then it hit me, the total graphics aren't generally all that noteworthy, but the vegetables can be pretty great looking, so I decided that I should start cutting them out to use for craft projects!

But before you get around to making a mobile or a wall hanging of some kind using these vegetable cut-outs, they sure do make great fodder for a little game of vegetable store, don't they? Recycling can be so much fun if you just open your eyes to the possibilities!

You'll Need:

• cardboard vegetable crates
• strong hands
• sharp scissors

How To:

Simply open boxes and cut out vegetables, but do be aware that you will need sharp scissors and strong hands. This is not something kids can do with any precision. I was thinking that one could make little stands for the veggies from slices of tp rolls with slits cut into them, I'll let you know if I try that one, sure could be s cute way to assemble a little play store.

Enjoy!

 

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Quick Drinking Straw Starburst Ornaments, Perfect For So Many Occassions!

When I spotted these large drinking straws in fabulous colors at my favorite Swedish retalier, (yes we have Ikea in Israel and the food in the restuarant is kosher!) I just had to buy quite a few bags as I knew they'd be great for crafting. I have actually started making chanukah decorations using these straws, and while I can't share them with you just yet, I was doing research to see what other crafters had made using straws and I came across this great project from Aunt Peaches, and then realized that I had even featured it on craft schooling Sunday a few years back.

So of course, I had to give it a try and this is the result! Pretty darn cute, I must say, and would look great for just about any occasion or even hung in a child's room from the ceiling. Gotta try that one!

You'll Need:

• colorful drinking straws, or just one metallic or solid color if you prefer
• zip ties

How To: This is so simple you're not gonna believe it, but you may need assistance from someone with lots of strength in their hands! All you do is take 25 or 30 straws, and gather them together in a bunch. Wrap a zip tie around the middle of the bunch and then pull as hard as you can so that the zip tie closes as much as possible.

The large starburst seen here was made with straws as-is, while the small size was made by cutting each straw in half. After closing the zip tie as tightly as you can, go back again and try to pull it even tighter. Trim if desired. And now go make a bunch more!

Playdough Idea For Kids: Abstract Sculpture

Today two of my kids actually had more fun making play dough than using it to create something, so I got down on the floor with them to encourage some creative play. I think I had the most fun of everyone when I just decided to create something abstract (that is my abstract sculpture garden, above) and in the end my daughter also decided to play along and created the abstract sculpture below. My boys who are less art literate didn't quite get into my idea, but they both said "wow" when they saw what I had created from a bunch of balls that we all rolled together.

Play dough isn't all that easy to create with, as compared to modeling clay, but nonetheless a nice tactile and relaxing experience for any age. I think the idea of creating abstract sculpture with play dough takes the pressure off to create something that looks like something, and is really fun and relaxing. Give it a try, and even if you don't have any kids around to do it with you, go for it!

The play dough recipe we used was fairly good, though did dry out a bit, so keep it on the moist side:

• 1/4 cup warm water
• food coloring
• 2 teaspoons oil
• 1/4 cup salt
• additional water as needed to make dough
• Combine ingredients as listed, mixing water and food coloring before proceeding.

This makes a ball the size of an adult's fist, and it is fun to make different colors in small containers. Plus while you can certainly make a bigger batch and divide and color at the end, this is a good quantity of ingredients for kids to mix themselves.